There is an account recorded in scripture of two kings, Ahab and Jehoshaphat, sitting together and discussing politics. As the conversation turns to the Syrian aggressors who have been raiding Ahab’s domain, plans were made to engage the enemy in an attempt to win back some land that had been lost. The scene goes something like this:
King A: Will you go to war with me?
King J: Sure. I have plenty of horses and men.
King J ( perhaps scratching his head and wondering if he had just made a mistake): You know, maybe we should ask God about this plan.
King A: Great idea! I have a whole bunch of prophetic guys back here. Actually, I hired them for occasions like this.
Four hundred prophets prance in, predicting a successful campaign and gushing in praise for their benefactor. At first, everything is upbeat as King A smiles his approval , but then King J begins to shift uneasily in his seat. Something seems a little fishy to him. The prophets were unanimously giving good, easy, delightful words, but they lacked the depth he has learned comes from God alone. In fact, he is pretty sure that these prophetic (and obviously spiritual men) were contacting a spirit that wasn’t his God at all.
King Jehoshaphat looks at Ahab and asked, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord here as well?”
Sullen Ahab sends for the prophet Micaiah, for whom the he has already revealed his hatred. Boldly the man of God walks into the room and proclaims that the battle would end in Ahab’s death. The petulant king rages against him and has him thrown into prison before heading to the battlefield. Though Ahab disguised himself, a Syrian archer strung a bow and released a stray arrow that pierced the king’s armor. As the sun went down that day, Ahab’s men were burying him in Samaria, and his soldiers were washing his blood from his chariot.
Ahab chose to listen to the voices of his personal prophetic troup. They were saying what he wanted to hear. He wanted to hear that he was right. He wanted to hear that his plan was brilliant. He wanted to hear easy words about a rosy future. Those voices were louder than the prophet Micaiah’s somber warning, both because of the number of men speaking but also because they were saying what the king’s ear itched to hear.
I can look at this account found in 1 Kings 22 and shake my head at the foolishness of King Ahab. After all, he had a word from a proven prophet of the Lord who plainly told him the outcome toward which his ambitious plan was heading. Listening to the voices that were only saying what he liked cost Ahab everything. But somehow, I am a little uncomfortable wagging my finger at this long-dead monarch as if I could never fall for the same bait.
May I explain? I am a Christian. I love Jesus with all that I am. In spite of that, I am still prone to gravitate toward the easy road and the message of comfort and convenience. I like a prosperity gospel that has no price tag other than my enthusiasm. I want to hear the message of sowing and reaping that sounds like a vending machine. I put in my ten percent each week, God pops out a massive blessing into my bank account. It is easy to overlook that the analogy doesn’t seem to include the time that the farmer waits, waters, hoes, weeds, and sweats to cultivate the crops he gathers.
I can shout amen to the facebook prophet who tells me that God is taking care of my difficult situations as he offers me his latest e-book, but look away from the pictures of orphans and widows in foreign war zones that need a meal and a tent to sleep in. The fiery evangelist who prophesies with great confidence that God is going to promote me and thrust me into an exciting new ministry adventure is far easier to listen to than digging into the Bible for myself. The word I read there promises that promotion from God comes with voluntary humility that demands I carry a cross and follow a dangerous Jesus wherever He goes.
Yes, you heard what I said, Jesus is dangerous–but He is also wonderful. Jesus goes after dirty people in places that my sensibilities do not enjoy walking. He challenges my assumptions about what faith looks like and how it acts. He refuses to let me settle into a recliner and channel surf while God is waiting for me in a prayer closet. He won’t let me hide.
Church, we are living in a fearful and uncertain time. People are frightened at the prospect of facing disease and threats of economic difficulty. Families are struggling. Governmental leaders are searching for the right path out of the crisis. The news has the latest prognosis on the state of our society running on a ticker tape loop twenty-four hours a day, and to be completely honest, that can be overwhelming to me.
So let me ask you, what voice will you listen to today? Who is playing the prophet for you? I do not ask you to put your head in the sand and hide from the dark. We all need the right information to make wise choices that will keep our families safe. However, if the voice of the news media and endless press conferences have convinced you that there is no hope, you may need to tune in to a higher frequency for a while.
I told you that my Jesus was dangerous, but He is also beautifully wonderful. He meets me in the prayer closet and fellowships with me in sweet intimacy. He beckons me to walk with Him in suspect places, but He is there gathering the precious treasures of broken humanity that have been shipwrecked there. He opens up the Bible and bids me to put my ear close to hear the voice of scriptures speaking of the great glory and unrestrained power of an omnipotent God. He challenges me, but He also comforts me. He asks me to do what seems so hard with all the chaos swirling around me–simply believe.
Child of God, there are many voices in the world but you are not required to give heed to all of them. The trick is discerning which ones you do need to tune in and consider, and which sound you need to give weight in your day. Go ahead and listen to what you need to for wisdom, but then wait for the other voice to speak. In fact, go look for it. Open up your Bible, shut the door on the world, and listen carefully. You will find Him saying what He always says, “All things are possible for him who believes.”
However, I have to warn you, He is likely to ask you to give when it looks like you need to be hoarding your scarce resources. Don’t be surprised if He leads you to call and check on that young mother you sit near in church even though you haven’t spent much time talking to her. You might hear Him beckoning you to pray for people you don’t know or pay for the fuel of the young man you see across the gas station lot.
Our Saviour is dangerous and wonderful, but He won’t remain silent if you set yourself to listen.
